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ENSURING THE
EXPERTISE TO GROW
SOUTH AFRICA
R-05-MEC-PE
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ENGINEERING
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Email: engineer@ecsa.co.za | Website: www.ecsa.co.za
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEFINITIONS ....................................................................................................................... 4
ABBREVIATIONS.................................................................................................................. 6
BACKGROUND..................................................................................................................... 7
1. PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT ...................................................................................... 8
2. AUDIENCE ....................................................................................................................... 8
3. PERSONS NOT REGISTERED AS A CANDIDATE AND/OR NOT TRAINED UNDER
COMMITMENT AND UNDERTAKING. ............................................................................. 9
4. ORGANISING FRAMEWORK FOR OCCUPATIONS ........................................................ 10
5. NATURE AND ORGANISATION OF THE INDUSTRY ....................................................... 12
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REVISION HISTORY........................................................................................................... 30
APPENDIX A: TRAINING ELEMENTS ................................................................................. 32
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DEFINITIONS
Certification: Formal recognition awarded to an education or training programme through a quality
assurance procedure specifying that it meets the criteria laid down for the type of programme.
(a) Scope of activities may encompass entire complex engineering systems or complex
subsystems.
(b) A context that is complex and varying, is multidisciplinary, requires teamwork, is unpredictable
and may need to be identified.
(c) It requires diverse and significant resources: including people, money, equipment, materials,
technologies.
(d) Significant interactions exist among wide-ranging or conflicting technical, engineering or other
issues.
(e) It is constrained by time, finance, infrastructure, resources, facilities, standards and codes, and
applicable laws.
(f) It has significant risks and consequences in a range of contexts.
Engineering problem: A problematic situation that is amenable to analysis and solution using
engineering sciences and methods.
Engineering science: A body of knowledge that is based on the natural sciences and uses
mathematical formulation where necessary, which extends knowledge and develops models and
methods to support its application, to solve problems and to provide the knowledge base for
engineering specialisations.
Ill-posed problem: Problems for which the requirements are not fully defined or may be defined
erroneously by the requesting party.
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Management of engineering work or activities: The co-ordinated activities required are to:
• direct and control everything that is constructed or results from construction or manufacturing
operations
• operate engineering works safely and in the manner intended
• return the engineering works, the plant and the equipment to an acceptable condition by the
renewal, replacement or mending of worn, damaged or decayed parts
• direct and control the engineering processes, systems, commissioning, operation and
decommissioning of equipment
• maintain engineering works or equipment in a state in which it can perform its required function.
Mentor: A professionally registered person who guides the competency development of a candidate
in an appropriate category.
Over-determined problem: A problem for which the requirements are defined in excessive detail,
making the required solution impossible to attain in all its aspects.
Outcome: A statement of the performance that a person must demonstrate to be judged competent
at the professional level.
Practice area: A generally recognised or distinctive area of knowledge and expertise developed by
an engineering practitioner by virtue of the path of education, training and experience followed.
Range statement: The required extent of or limitations on expected performance stated in terms of
situations and circumstances in which outcomes are to be demonstrated.
Specified category: A category of registration for persons registered through the Engineering
Profession Act, 46 of 2000 or through a combination of the Engineering Profession Act and external
legislation with specific Engineering competencies at NQF Level 5 regarding an identified need to
protect the safety, health and interest of the public and the environment, in relation to an engineering
activity.
Supervisor: A person who oversees and controls engineering work performed by a candidate.
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ABBREVIATIONS
BEng Bachelor of Engineering
BSc Eng Bachelor of Science in Engineering
C&U Commitment and Undertaking
DSTG Discipline-Specific Training Guide
EIAs Environmental Impact Assessments
HVAC Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning
MEng Master of Engineering
OFO Organising Framework for Occupations
PCE Professional Certificated Engineer
PE Professional Engineer
PGDip Post-graduate Diploma
PFD Process Flow Diagram
PLC Programmable Logic Controllers
PLM Product Lifecycle Management
PN Professional Engineering Technician
PT Professional Engineering Technologist
QA Quality Assurance
QC Quality Control
QMP Quality Management Plan
RPS Research, Policy and Standards
SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
SEMP Systems Engineering Management Plan
SOW Statements of Work
TES Training and Experience Summary
TERs Training and Experience Reports
WBS Work-breakdown Structures
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BACKGROUND
The illustration below defines the documents that comprise the Engineering Council of South Africa
(ECSA) system for registration in professional categories. The illustration also locates this document.
Defines Policy of the Council, Defines the standards of competency for Provides guidance on the
giving effect to the Act’s power registration in each Professional Competency Standards for
to register in Professional Category each category and development
Categories of competencies
Prescribes
R-01-POL-PC standards
Explains
Policy on Registration in R-02-STA-
Professional Categories PE/PT/PCE/PN R-08-PE
Competency Guide to the
Standard Competency
Prescribes Standard
Procedure
Refers to
Recommends
C&U
This Refers to
R-03-PRO Document
Processing of Applications R-04-T&M-GUIDE-PC
for Registration of Training and
Candidates and Mentoring Guide for
Professionals Professional
R-05-MEC-PE
Categories
Discipline-Specific
Defines key aspects of the
Refers Provides guidance to Training Guide for
application and assessment
process and the forms of to applicants, mentors, Registration as a
evidence that must be supervisors and referees Professional Engineer
submitted by the applicant on matters common to all in Mechanical
categories Engineering
R-INT-GUIDE-001
ECSA Registration R-11-PRO
Interview Guide Process for training engineering Refers to
candidates towards professional
registration under a Commitment
Provides guidance on how to Provides guidance on training and
and Undertaking
prepare for both the experience towards registration
Experience Appraisal & the for disciplines and categories
Professional Review
Covers the elements of the training
interviews
process and the requirements of the
commitment and undertaking (C&U)
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• Duration
• Planning principles
• Progression of training programme
• Documenting training and experience
• Demonstrating responsibility.
2. AUDIENCE
This DSTG is directed towards Candidates and their Supervisors and Mentors in the discipline of
Mechanical Engineering. The guide is intended to support or applies to persons who have:
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o MEng programme (document E-22-PE) (with cognate BEng Tech (Hons)/PGDip plus
BEng Tech as prerequisites) listed on the ECSA website
If the trainee’s employer does not offer C&U, the trainee should establish the level of mentorship
and supervision the employer is able to provide. In the absence of an internal Mentor, the services
of an external Mentor should be secured. The Voluntary Association for the discipline may be
consulted for assistance in locating an external Mentor. A Mentor should keep abreast of all stages
of the development process.
This DSTG is written for t he Candidate/applicant who is training and gaining experience towards
registration. Applicants who have not enjoyed mentorship are advised to request an experienced
Mentor (internal or external) to act as an application adviser while they prepare their applications
for registration.
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Mechanical Engineering is concerned with the design, development, installation, operation and
maintenance of just about anything that has movable parts. It involves the production, transmission
and use of mechanical power. Mechanical Engineers work in different industries and job
opportunities within these industries include:
Mechanical Engineering involves the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance
of materials, components, machines and plants, including systems for lifting, hoisting and handling
of materials as an example. The discipline is concerned with turbines, pumps and fluid power,
heating, cooling, ventilating and air-conditioning, fuels, combustion, engines and gas turbines in
addition to steam, petrochemical and food processing plants. Mechanical Engineering also
focuses on automobiles, trucks, aircraft, ships, special vehicles, lifts and escalators as well as
fire protection and nuclear energy power generation. Mechanical Engineers advise on the
mechanical aspects of materials, products and processes through the application of the
engineering sciences of mechanics, solid mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, physics,
chemistry, applied mathematics and computational techniques.
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to heating, ventilation and refrigeration systems, steering gear, pumps, pipe work, valves and
other associated mechanical equipment.
• Advising on and designing airframes, undercarriages and other equipment for aircraft
suspension systems, brakes, vehicle bodies and other components of road vehicles.
• Advising on and designing non-electrical parts of apparatus or products such as word
processors, computers, precision instruments, cameras and projectors.
• Establishing control standards and procedures to ensure efficient functioning and safety of
machines, machinery, tools, motors, engines, industrial plants, equipment and systems.
• Ensuring the operation and maintenance of equipment complies with design specifications
and safety standards.
Practising Mechanical Engineers generally specialise in expert fields as one or more of the following:
• Fire Protection and Detection Engineer (includes air-conditioning, heating and ventilation)
• Automotive Engineer
• Diesel Engineer
• Fluid Mechanics Engineer
• Forensic Engineer
• Heating and Ventilation Engineer
• Machine Design and Development Engineer
• Maintenance Management Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer – Mining industry
• Mechatronics Engineer
• Piping Engineer
• Power Generation Engineer (Mechanical Systems)
• Pressurised Vessels Engineer
• Propulsion System Engineer
• Rotating Equipment Plant Engineer
• Structural Steel Engineer
• Thermodynamics Engineer
• Transportation Systems Engineer
• Applied Mechanics Engineer
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• Bio-medical Engineer
• Materials Handling Systems Engineer
• Nuclear Engineer
• Process Design Engineer
• Product Design Engineer
The public sector is responsible for service delivery and is usually the client. However, in some
departments, design and construction are also carried out. Mechanical Engineers are required at all
levels of the public sector, including at national, provincial and local government levels, and in state-
owned enterprises and public utilities. The public sector largely handles planning, specifying and
overseeing implementation of infrastructure projects in addition to engaging in operations and
maintenance of infrastructure. An extension of the public sector includes tertiary academic
institutions and research organisations.
Depending on where the Candidate is employed and the nature of the enterprise, there may be
situations where the in-house opportunities are insufficiently diverse to develop all the required
competencies noted in groups A and B in document R-02-STA-PE/PT/PCE/PN. For example, the
opportunities for developing problem-solving competence (including designing and developing
solutions) and for managing Engineering activities (including implementing and constructing
solutions) may not be available to Candidates through their direct employers. In such cases,
employers are encouraged to implement a secondment system, enabling Candidates to obtain
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experience in a specific category of training. It is fairly common practice that for situations in which
organisations are unable to provide training in certain areas, secondments are arranged with other
organisations so that Candidates are able to develop all the competencies required for registration.
Problem-solving of mechanical systems in design, operation, construction and research
environments is the core of Mechanical Engineering. It is a logical thinking process that requires
engineers to apply their minds diligently in bringing solutions to technically complex problems. This
process involves analysis of systems or the assembly of mechanical components and the integration
of various elements of Mechanical Engineering through the application of basic and engineering
sciences.
Problem-solving experience may be obtained in the following work categories that are linked to the
lifecycle of the product, system, plant or equipment.
5.1 Investigation
The Candidate may be tasked to perform specific investigations, literature studies, process
evaluations, defect or failure investigations, product performance evaluations and manufacturing or
production baseline studies. The technical information thus gathered may then be used in design
improvement, process optimisation, performance enhancement and product, system and plant
efficiency upgrades. The type of work outputs can generally be used as inputs for mechanical
engineering processes further along the value chain. The investigation phase of a project, which
may be labelled formally as pre-feasibility, concept or feasibility, is a significant part of the Mechanical
Engineering design process. Investigation in its most fundamental form is a process whereby a
stated objective or mandate is explored in terms of the parameters of the specific situation, perhaps
more aptly referred to as ‘Investigation of the Engineering Problem’.
Candidates are often exposed to the detailed area of the investigation under the supervision of an
experienced, professional Mechanical Engineer.
It is useful for the purpose of this guide to separate the investigation phase into two distinct
categories:
• Optimisation or modification of existing projects
• New projects.
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Candidates could either be expected to design or develop a solution for improving or modifying an
existing (brownfield) process or to design/develop a solution for a new (greenfield) project that
has a more open-ended mandate.
The Candidate Mechanical Engineer needs to consider many aspects and follow certain steps in the
investigation process to interrogate the given scope of work. The analysis must define and
investigate the given scope of work to identify the characteristics of a ‘complex engineering problem’
as defined under R-08-PE.
The investigation phase is critical to the development of Candidate Mechanical Engineers because
it provides an opportunity to identify real-world scenarios. Employers often test Candidates by
assigning them low-risk or non-critical items that could be solved in the space of a few weeks or
months. This is insufficient.
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While Mechanical Engineers gain a vast amount of fundamental and first-principle knowledge in their
tertiary education, industry problems require taking that knowledge one step further. After having
identified a problem and investigating it, the research and development phase is the next step
towards implementing a rational design to solve the problem.
Research/development includes many available options, depending on the industry and application,
for example:
• Consulting peer-reviewed academic journals in respect of novel technology.
• Conferring with technical representatives of industry associations.
• Consulting with industry specialists who may be equipment vendors and sometimes
development requires test work to be done to verify the concepts identified in the research.
Many clients insist on proving a process on the bench or on a pilot scale since ultimately, vast
amounts of money may be spent on the construction.
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• Block Flow Diagram – define fundamental process steps involved including applicable
legislative requirements.
• Process Flow Diagram (PFD) – select the unit operations and define the inputs and outputs
of the process as well as assumptions based on specific conditions.
• Mass and energy balance in conjunction with the PFD – reagent consumption, utility
requirements, economics of the plant.
• Piping and instrumentation diagrams – the process is defined in detail and accurate pricing
can be obtained.
o vehicles
o boats
o trains
o aircraft structures
o conveying equipment
o piping systems
o transmissions, drive trains, gearboxes
o defence equipment
o chemical process plants
o equipment for handling materials
o mine processing plants
o pressurised systems, vessels, valves, equipment
o buildings, hospitals, mechanical systems in public centres
o process manufacturing plants.
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Acceptable complex design reviews include reviews of major machine systems such as turbines and
compressors with their auxiliary systems, power station systems and their major components,
complex refrigeration systems, petrochemical plants and other production and manufacturing plant
systems.
ECSA is not prescriptive in this regard, but aspects of the following should be included in the
Candidate’s experience base of Engineering Project Management as far as practically possible:
• Engineering task formulation, work-breakdown structures (WBS), Statements of Work (SOW)
• Time-based scheduling, budgeting, personnel allocation, project staffing
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5.6 Implementation/Commissioning
Ideally, the Candidate Engineer gains exposure in an integration responsibility role, interfacing with
other engineering disciplines related to the project, product, system or plant. This normally occurs
when higher-level systems, equipment or plants are built, constructed or assembled on site and
followed by commissioning and acceptance-test processes. Elements in which the Candidate may
gain experience include the following:
• Assembly and compilation of build instructions, fits and clearances, build-record sheets
• Acceptance methods (means of compliance) (define, analyse, inspect, demonstrate, test)
• Planning and execution of commissioning process, preparation of ‘punch lists’
• Plant or equipment assembly, commissioning, pass-off testing, certification (in conjunction
with inspection and/or quality assurance (QA) departments and inspectors)
• Environmental impact assessments, compliance, plant measurements during commissioning
• Mechatronics:
o Plant control and automation (control and instrumentation (C&I) interfacing), condition and
performance monitoring, measurements
o Installation of control systems, commissioning, upgrade of hardware and software control
systems
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o Plant performance monitoring, data acquisitioning (e.g., Scada, plc systems), digital
systems and automation.
5.7 Production
Producibility of a product design in accordance with stipulated quality standards and specified
acceptance criteria is a major element of a product’s lifecycle. The Candidate Engineer needs to
obtain experience in product realisation either during the early development of models or prototypes
or during the development of various models in the phases of the project (e.g., prototype,
experimental, advanced, engineering development, pre-production or serial production).
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develop the skills required to demonstrate the advanced use of Mechanical Engineering knowledge
in optimising the efficiency of operations or the constructability of projects.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they have been actively involved in a mechanical
workshop environment and have participated in the execution of practical work to the extent that
they have learnt sufficient details regarding basic mechanical procedures to be able to exercise
judgement in the workplace. Applicants must also show evidence of adequate training in this function
through complex project work carried out in the analysis of problems and the synthesis of solutions.
Evidence is required in the form of a separate comprehensive engineering report (design report may
be required if not included in the engineering report) that must accompany the application. This report
should describe synthesised solutions to sufficiently complex engineering problems to demonstrate
that applicants have had the opportunity to apply their technical knowledge and engineering
expertise gained through university education and practical work experience.
In applying technical and scientific knowledge gained through academic training, the applicant must
also demonstrate the financial and economic benefits of engineered solutions synthesised from
scientific and engineering principles at a sufficiently advanced level.
According to ECSA, the definition of complex in complex engineering problems can be defined as:
Composed of many inter-related conditions; requiring first principle empirical judgment to create
a solution within a set of originally undefined circumstances.
Mechanical Engineering forms an integral part of broader engineering systems and infrastructure in
technologically complex environments such as manufacturing, processing, mining, construction,
product-development and research. Applicants are required to undertake mechanical engineering
projects that significantly enhance the operability and constructability of integrated engineering
systems and infrastructures. Such project work should not be stand-alone assignments but
should form part of the solutions to integrated engineering systems that require a broad
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application of various theoretical aspects of Mechanical Engineering ranging from fluid systems and
energy systems to structures and machines.
Engineering design is a logical thinking process that requires engineers to apply their minds
carefully in bringing solutions to technically complex problems. This process involves the analysis
of systems or the assembly of mechanical components and the integration of various elements
of Mechanical Engineering through the application of basic and engineering sciences. Simple and
straightforward calculation exercises and graphical representations from computer-generated data
are not considered sufficiently complex engineering designs since anybody with qualifications in
basic science and engineering science is able to perform this type of work. Professional registration
requires advanced application of engineering knowledge in complex design problems.
Candidate Engineers must obtain experience in solving a variety of problems in their work
environment, and the solutions to these problems must involve the use of the fundamental and
advanced Mechanical Engineering knowledge obtained at university. Problems that require a
scientific and engineering approach to their solution may be encountered in any engineering
work environment that consists of integrated engineering systems, equipment, machinery and
infrastructure. From early in their training years, Candidates must actively seek opportunities to
obtain experience in synthesising solutions to real-life engineering problems encountered in the
workplace.
A suitable length of time and degree of practical participation should be sought in the workshop
environment, learning the basic practices that are the essence of the mechanical discipline so
that the Candidate can judge the efficacies of such practices in the general workplace thereafter.
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The profession identifies specific contextual activities that are considered essential to the
development of competence of the Mechanical Engineer. These include participation in basic
workshops, manufacturing and fabrication activities and awareness of the competencies required of
the technologist, technician and artisan. These areas of practice are identified in each programme
within the employer environment.
It is useful to measure the progression of the Candidate’s competency by using the scales for
Degree of Responsibility, Problem Solving and Engineering Activity as specified in the relevant
documentation. The attached Appendix was developed against the Degree of Responsibility Scale.
It should be noted that the Candidate working at Responsibility Level E carries the responsibility
appropriate to that of a registered person except that the Candidate’s supervisor is accountable
for the Candidate’s recommendations and decisions.
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executing Engineering Work, Candidates must comply with all relevant legislation and amendments
thereto, among others:
• Engineering Profession Act, 46 of 2000
• Occupational Health and Safety Act, 85 of 1993
• National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 103 of 1977
• National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998
• Employment Equity Act, 55 of 1998.
All Engineering Work must be carried out in accordance with the norms of the profession. Such
norms are generally represented by national and international standards, industry standards, codes
of practice and best practice guidelines.
Other Acts not listed here may also be pertinent to a Candidate’s specific work environment.
Candidates are expected to have a basic knowledge of the relevant Acts and to investigate whether
any Acts are applicable to their particular work environment. All Engineering Work must be carried
out in accordance with the norms of the profession. Such norms are generally represented by
national and international standards, industry standards, codes of practice and best practice
guidelines.
ECSA has established a document known as the ECSA Code of Conduct titled ‘Code of Conduct for
Registered Persons: Engineering Profession Act, 46 of 2000’ and the ‘Overarching Code of Practice
for the Performance of Engineering Work’ (document R-01-CoP). The ECSA Code of Conduct sets
out the ethical rules of conduct for professionally registered persons in terms of the following
categories:
• Competency
• Integrity
• Public Interest
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• Environment
• Dignity of the Profession.
Further administrative considerations and practice requirements are set out in the Code of Conduct
and the Overarching Code of Practice for the Performance of Engineering Work, respectively. The
onus is on Candidates and their Mentors/Supervisors to familiarise themselves with these
documents.
Depending on the working environment, the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act,
85 of 1993 (OHS Act) and/or the Mine Health and Safety Act, 29 of 1996 (MHS Act) must be followed
by employers and employees. Candidates should obtain a functional understanding of these
provisions in their specific workplaces.
Industry-specific regulations and requirements may or may not be applicable in all fields of
Mechanical Engineering. However, Candidates may find that each industry or aspect of design has
developed ‘good engineering practices’ or has mandated statutory requirements. The onus is, once
again, on Candidates and their Mentors/Supervisors to familiarise themselves with these practices
in the South African industry-specific context or country specific legislation when they are
undertaking projects abroad.
• Maintenance Engineering
• Environmental impact management
• Report writing
• Planning methods.
Training and courses that do not carry official CPD points are also appropriate, such as courses or
training offered within the employer organisation or by other organisations.
It is suggested that Candidates work with the appointed Mentors to determine appropriate projects
to gain exposure to elements of the asset cycle and to ensure that their designs are constructible,
operable and are designed considering lifecycle costing and long-term sustainability.
The training programme should be such that the Candidate progresses through the levels of work
capability described in document R-04-T&M-GUIDE-PC so that by the end of the training period, the
Candidate exhibits the degree of responsibility allocated during the particular period of training and
is able to perform individually and as a team member at the level of problem-solving and engineering
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activity required for registration. The Mentor and Candidate must identify the level of responsibility
that is required for an activity to be compliant and demonstrate the various exit level outcomes
(ELOs). Evidence of the Candidate’s activities and their acceptance by the Mentor are recorded on
the appropriate system to meet the requirements of the Training Elements Appendix.
The onus is on Candidates and their Mentors/Supervisors to take responsibility for their own
development.
7.2 Realities
ECSA prescribes the minimum period for the Candidacy Phase to be 3 years. The likelihood,
however, is that the period of training will be longer. The time frame is determined by the
availability of opportunities and the exposure to various functions in the actual work environment.
Irrespective of the route followed, the overriding consideration is that the applicant must provide
evidence of competence against the standard and provide objective evidence of meeting the
11 specified outcomes.
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Example 1:
In a steel processing plant, the Candidate Engineer assists in specifying the control
instrumentation and data acquisitioning system for the plant’s mechanical systems. The
Candidate works with the plant C&I Electronic Engineer and/or assists in developing the control
system software under the supervision of the Plant Process Engineer (Metallurgist/Chemical
Engineer).
Example 2:
At a coal post-processing plant that converts coal to coke as raw material for a steel refinery, the
Candidate Engineer performs Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) together with subject-
matter experts (scientists, environmental biologists, air quality specialists) to assess emission
levels of the by-products of the processing plant (contaminated water, waste gas, waste heat).
The Candidate Engineer is supervised by the Mechanical Engineer of the plant process.
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In the case of a person changing from one candidacy programme to another or moving into a
candidacy programme from a less structured environment, it is essential that the following steps are
completed:
• The candidate must complete the Training and Experience Summary (TES) and the Training
and Experience Reports (TERs) for the previous programme or unstructured experience. In
the latter case, it is important to reconstruct the experience as accurately as possible. The
TERs must be signed off by the responsible Supervisor or Mentor.
• On entering the new programme, the Mentor and Supervisor should review the Candidate’s
development while being mindful of the past experience and the opportunities and
requirements of the new programme. At minimum, the Mentor and Supervisor should plan
the next phase of the Candidate’s programme.
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REVISION HISTORY
Revision number Revision date Revision details Approved by
Rev 0: Concept A 16 Sep 2011 Initial Draft PAC Mech
Rev 0: Concept B 04 Jul 2012 New Template Applied PAC Mech
Rev 0: Concept C 07 Sep 2012 Revisions to Concept B PAC Mech
Rev 0: Concept D 29 Oct 2012 Standard Sections 1–3 inserted, JIC
Formatted
Rev 0: Concept E 27 Feb Revision to Section 3 JIC
Rev 1 12 Mar 2013 Revision to Section 3 Registration
Committee for
Professional
Engineers
Rev 2 28 Sep 2017 As per approved DSTG Framework PDSGC
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Revision 3 dated 15 July 2021 and consisting of 31 pages was reviewed for adequacy by the
Business Unit Manager and is approved by the Executive: Research, Policy and Standards (RPS).
..................................... 2021/08/26
.................................
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3.1 Experience in the execution of engineering tasks (rest of training period). Focus should be on
projects and project management (Responsibility Level E)
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